Immortal Creation.

Chapter 737 The Mirror Plaque of the Sinking Marsh: Questioning the Heart

Basically, all soul-searching techniques extract the memories of the target for cultivators to view.

It's like reading a book, only the content isn't filtered, it's too voluminous, and less than one percent of it is actually useful.

From this perspective, Confucianism has a significant advantage in self-cultivation. The classic texts studied by Confucian scholars are truly gems, the essence of knowledge, which greatly improves the efficiency of their practice.

Ning Zhuo studied all the Soul Searching Techniques collected by Tian Shuang, which gave him an advantage even within the Soul Devouring Sect, placing him directly at the forefront of the world.

He discovered that only the Soul-Cleaving Technique of Burning Boats could allow cultivators to experience the memories of others, as if they had personally encountered them. The experience gained from this soul-searching was almost identical to experiencing it firsthand.

However, very few people in the world can bear the enormous drawbacks that result from this.

"There must be other ways to avoid or counteract this drawback. My talent makes me one of them!"

"Lord Wangchuan has a far-reaching plan. If his grand scheme succeeds, he will probably rise to great heights."

"No wonder Yang Tian wanted to stop him from achieving enlightenment!"

Ning Zhuo needed to search his soul and then rely on his true self to gain experience. But the Lord of the River of Oblivion didn't need that; he possessed innate talent and could immerse himself in the River of Oblivion to directly absorb memories.

This efficiency is far superior to Ning Zhuo's individual soul searches!

If Lord Wangchuan were to acquire this talent, his entire path to enlightenment would undergo a radical transformation.

Ning Zhuo studied diligently and practiced extensively. He had now fully realized that the Burning Boat Soul Transfer Technique was an extremely frequently used spell in his future cultivation.

"My understanding of the Soul Path and Yin Attribute is weak, only at the initial stage. To improve the Burning Boat Soul Transfer Technique, I would need to invest far too much time and energy."

"In the short term, it's more practical to focus on resolving the five major drawbacks of the Burning Boat Soul Transfer Technique."

Ning Zhuo has mastered many soul-searching techniques and has gained a deeper understanding of the Burning Boat Soul-Crossing Technique. He has already learned the truth about the so-called Five Calamities Entangling Truth.

The five calamities are: death of one's name, burning of one's consciousness, the traces left by one's journey, burning of one's karma, and getting lost at sea.

"The true purpose of this spell is to entice people to cultivate and create soul materials. Therefore, the greater the degree of soul modification, the more numerous and negative the effects will be."

"When the consciousness is consumed, it means that the soul has affected the upper dantian and the sea of ​​consciousness, thus affecting the concentration of divine sense."

"The marks on the boat are caused by the soul being modified too much, making it incompatible with the physical body and causing damage to the body. It's like how my soul cultivation was too strong before, which caused various purplish marks to appear on my body. However, this Burning Boat Soul Transfer Technique is even worse."

Having understood the principles, Ning Zhuo was able to address these drawbacks.

It's very simple. This spell will modify the soul, so after using the Burning Boat Soul Transfer Technique, you can simply recreate the soul.

This kind of soul modification is hidden deep within the soul and cannot be easily detected. Otherwise, this spell wouldn't have deceived so many cultivators.

However, Ning Zhuo, who was proficient in the Burning Boat Soul Transfer Technique, was not included in this category.

However, he had no idea how to recreate the soul.

"It does not matter!"

"Since I can detect the altered parts of the soul, I might as well remove them."

It's like having a piece of flesh torn from your body; naturally, your soul will also be injured. But Ning Zhuo possesses the four treasures of soul cultivation, as well as numerous soul cultivation methods and healing techniques, so he can naturally heal his soul.

Just like the Spider Woman from before, many parts of her three souls were extracted and woven into a soul cloth. But with rest and treatment, her soul will also recover.

The Burning Boat Soul Transfer Technique is against the natural order. Using the Three Souls Spinning Wheel Technique as an aid will prevent others from being easily scattered.

By doing so, Ning Zhuo could effectively avoid the Red Lotus Karmic Fire, which he valued most among the Five Calamities.

The other four drawbacks are different in nature from this calamity.

The Red Lotus Karmic Fire is not a negative consequence of soul modification, but rather a miniature heavenly tribulation triggered when the caster's sins accumulate to a certain degree!
The jade slip of the Burning Boat Soul-Crossing Technique states: When it is mild, it bursts into azure flames, burning the meridians and destroying the collaterals; when it is severe, the five internal organs blaze, cooking themselves into mincemeat!

This shows that the consequences of such a disaster are quite severe.

"I need to understand how much sin I will incur each time I use the Burning Boat Soul Transfer Technique?"

"What methods can be used to test this?"

This is a crucial issue that Ning Zhuo needs to understand; otherwise, he will always be on edge when using the Burning Boat Soul Transfer Technique in the future and will not be able to make full use of it.

In the past, during the era of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, this problem might not have been solvable, but now we live in a golden age of cultivation!
Even in other places, such as the Immortal City, a solution might not be found, but this is the main gate of the Myriad Manifestations Sect!
Furthermore, this is still the early stage of the Feiyun Conference.

Ning Zhuo flipped through the intelligence jade slip and quickly found three methods.

After pondering for a moment, he made arrangements, selected a location, and then contacted Sun Lingtong via a life-or-death connection: "Boss, I need you to go out and buy some things."

After listening to Ning Zhuo's account, Sun Lingtong immediately set off secretly. He left Shuyu Zhai and headed straight for Yu Heye's cave.

Ning Zhuo then left his Qing Shi Cave and headed to the nearest Zhu Xie Hall.

The Myriad Manifestations Sect has eight peaks and sixteen halls, with the Exorcising Evil Hall being one of them.

Yang Sanyan, who had a comradeship with Ning Zhuo, was a key member of the Zhuxie Hall.

The Demon Slayer Hall held a preliminary trial of Xingyun well in advance. Their purpose was very clear and singular: to recruit new members for the Demon Slayer Hall.

Ning Zhuo descended from the clouds and entered the Hall of Exorcising Evil, arriving at an inner gate.

There were monks guarding the place. Ning Zhuo showed his wooden token and was allowed to enter.

As he stepped through the door, his vision suddenly changed, and he entered a space within an array.

The surrounding area consisted of black stone walls, while the ground was a deep, eerie swamp.

Chenye marsh!
In the center of this artificial swamp, there is a stone platform with a plaque on it. The plaque bears four large, gilded characters written in a vigorous and upright style: "A Clear Mirror Hangs High."

On the steps beneath the plaque sat several cultivators with profound auras, dressed in the high-ranking robes of the Dark Evil Extermination Hall. Their gazes were sharp as lightning, occasionally sweeping over the numerous cultivators struggling to move through the mud.

The Demon Extermination Hall is one of the sixteen halls, offering excellent benefits and treatment, which naturally attracts a large number of newcomers who want to join.

The first test is trekking through the Sinking Swamp.

Ning Zhuo is just one of them.

His gaze swept across the area and he discovered that there were at least fifty cultivators trekking through the Swamp of Sinking Karma.

Ning Zhuo was cautious by nature, so he first observed carefully.

Most of the monks stepped into the swamp, the mud reaching their ankles, some even calves deep. Pulling their legs out of the swamp was extremely difficult, the mud having a strong suction force. A layer of gray mist constantly clung to them, adding to the oppressive atmosphere.

These people were all sweating profusely, their expressions were solemn, their magical power was constantly being pushed up, and their physical strength was being rapidly depleted.

Several cultivators were in dire straits. The moment they stepped in, it was as if they had stepped into a muddy swamp, with the mud instantly reaching their waists or even chests! They could only manage to escape by fully activating their magical artifacts to smash through the mud and struggling to break free.

During this process, the swamp of karma seemed to cling to the cultivators like living creatures, trying to drag them down and make them sink. When Ning Zhuo was observing, most of these cultivators were eliminated, crying for help, and were directly teleported away by the array activated by the Zhuxie Hall cultivators on the stone platform.

There were also a few cultivators, very few in number, but their feet trod firmly on the surface of the swamp, the mud becoming thick and solid beneath their feet! They moved forward step by step, leaving only shallow footprints. There was absolutely no mud clinging to them or dragging them along.

"The extent of one's sins determines the extent of their manifestation."

"The more sins a cultivator commits, the more dangerous the Swamp of Sinking Karma becomes, capable of causing the cultivator to drown and perish."

"On the contrary, the fewer sins one has, the safer the Swamp of Sin is; it's like walking on flat ground!"

Ning Zhuo was no stranger to Chenye Marsh; he had learned about it in books long ago.

"What kind of performance will I have?" With this question in mind, Ning Zhuo took a step forward and officially set foot on the Swamp of Sinking Karma.

The surface of the swamp beneath his feet suddenly solidified the moment Ning Zhuo stepped on it, turning into a paving stone!
Ning Zhuo took a step forward, but the mud beneath his feet was solid and heavy, leaving not a single footprint.

This is truly like walking on flat ground!

There was no collapse, nor any suction force whatsoever.

While ordinary people were surrounded by a layer of gray mist, Ning Zhuo was surrounded by a clean and refreshing atmosphere. He walked lightly and leisurely, forming a stark contrast with the cultivators around him.

"Huh?" Ning Zhuo attracted a lot of attention after taking a dozen steps.

When he reached the middle section, almost all the high-level cultivators on the central stone platform of the Sinking Swamp focused their attention on Ning Zhuo, scrutinizing him intently.

"Who is this boy?"

"His cultivation level is at the late Foundation Establishment stage, but he's young and a promising talent!"

"There aren't many cultivators who can elicit such a reaction from Shenye Swamp."

"This child has clear eyes and a dignified demeanor in every move. He must have been nurtured by a prestigious righteous sect with a long history and strict rules, who devoted countless resources and efforts to protecting him from worldly distractions!"

The high-ranking cultivators of the Demon Extermination Hall secretly communicated using their divine sense.

One of them shook his head slightly: "It seems this kid hasn't experienced much bloodshed; his hands are clean. So, the lack of killing karma is what caused Shenye Swamp to react this way. If we recruit him in the future, we must properly cultivate his combat experience."

Another person said, "Although he lacks some experience in application, there isn't a wisp of gray mist around him, which shows that his foundation is pure and his mind is clear. Isn't this the spirit of our prestigious sects?"

Everyone was generous in their appreciation of Ning Zhuo.

"Regardless of this child's talent, this performance alone is enough to recruit him into our Demon Extermination Hall."

"Don't be impatient! The Swamp of Sinking Karma is just the first round of screening, and its testing power is not sufficient. In previous years, some demonic cultivators have used strange magical artifacts and other means to cover up their sins and blood debts and pass through the swamp."

"That's right. Now, let's see how this young man behaves under the official plaque."

The high-level cultivators secretly valued Ning Zhuo highly, but on the surface, they quickly shifted their attention away from him.

Ning Zhuo easily surpassed many cultivators.

Amidst envious and jealous glances, he leisurely and calmly arrived at the foot of the central stone platform.

"This should be the easiest Xingyun trial I've ever participated in," Ning Zhuo thought to himself.

The high-level cultivators on the stone platform were already getting impatient, and one of the elders urged, "Come up to the platform, you who are coming."

"Junior Ning Zhuo greets all seniors." Ning Zhuo was very polite, first bowing with his hands clasped below the stone platform before ascending it.

The cultivators on the stone platform nodded inwardly: "This lad is very well-mannered; he must be from a prominent family. Not bad, not bad."

As Ning Zhuo climbed to the top of the stone platform, the old man who had spoken earlier continued to guide him: "Step forward and touch the official plaque with your hand."

Ning Zhuo did as instructed.

He remained calm, his palm gently resting on the surface of the official plaque.

The four large characters on the official plaque, "A Bright Mirror Hangs High," began to emit a faint golden light.

The high-ranking cultivators of the Demon Extermination Hall were somewhat surprised upon seeing this, and they all communicated with each other using their divine sense.

"This child actually possesses merit."

"What good deed did you do?"

“He must have deep roots, with a large family supporting him, so it’s not surprising that he does some good deeds.”

"It's a pity the hall master isn't here. If the master were here, he could fully utilize this official plaque to find out just how much merit this young man has accumulated."

"He is so young, how much merit could he possibly have? Perhaps his family arranged for him to join the Exorcism Hall, who knows?"

"Let's see if he accepts the next round of questioning."

Ning Zhuo examined the official plaque, slightly puzzled: "This is actually an official artifact?"

The elderly cultivator said, "Young friend Ning Zhuo has done well and has passed the second round of testing. Congratulations!"

"I have three more questions for you. You may answer them or remain silent. But once you speak, you must speak from the heart, without deceiving others or yourself."

Some cultivators who were close to the stone platform changed their expressions upon hearing this, their faces showing worry and hope that Ning Zhuo would refuse.

The other high-level cultivators remained expressionless, showing no surprise whatsoever.

Ning Zhuo's performance in the Shenye Swamp deserves the opportunity to examine his conscience by the Zhuxie Hall.

Ning Zhuo immediately clasped his hands in a salute and said in a clear voice, "Thank you, senior. Please ask away."

He was familiar with the relevant intelligence.

This round of Xingyun's preliminary test is the Zhuxie Hall's open selection, which includes two tests: the Shenye Swamp and the Stone Platform Official Plaque. Passing these tests will allow you to advance to the next round.

In addition, if they encounter an exceptionally outstanding newcomer, the Zhuxie Hall will give them a third test, namely, a test of their conscience.

The elderly cultivator nodded slightly, a barely perceptible hint of approval flashing in his eyes. He slowly spoke, asking, "The Great Dao is vast and boundless, and evil spirits roam freely. If one encounters wicked and malevolent beings who poison living beings, and one cannot capture them by force, then so be it. But if one captures them, and they wag their tails and beg for mercy, offering great benefits, or even willing to serve as a vanguard with their useful bodies... how should one deal with them?"

Both on and off the stage, everyone's eyes were focused on Ning Zhuo.

Certain methods had already been activated, and Ning Zhuo felt his dantian in his divine sea tremble slightly. But the next moment, the Buddha Heart Demon Seal emitted rays of demonic light, sweeping away his divine sea and immediately stabilizing his dantian.

Ning Zhuo felt strange. He was somewhat surprised, as it was the first time he had ever seen his Buddha Heart Demon Seal passively triggered, emitting demonic light. Previously, it had always been Buddha light.

In an instant, he realized that the methods of the Demon Extermination Hall's Heart-Questioning Technique had failed on him.

(End of this chapter)